The Heart Won't Lie

A Fan Fiction by Lizzie D

I'M BAAAACKK! Hey guys! What's up!? Sorry I guess I haven't updated for a month. So if anyone still reads this story, I have some news. There will not be a sequel to this, but I find that there isn't a need for one and the story will end within the next few chapters. I will give you an epilogue because none of my stories are ever truly complete without one in my opinion.

I've been busy with school projects (ahh! science fair), vocal lessons, drama rehearsals, literary magazines, and navigators. A lot, huh? Anyways, I'm doing my best! This might be done by my February vacation.

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Slausen's was crowded a week from that day. Olga was making newspapers as "MISSING GIRL". All the meanwhile, the nasty argument between Arnold and Helga still hadn't blown over. Nothing was easing the strain since he'd been spending more time with Lila than he should have even been.

Her delightfulness was no longer cloying. It just didn't make his skin crawl nor his stomach roll somersaults. Maybe it was her presence that lured him once again. The old flame within his heart had begun to rekindle. The serenity of her bubbly countenance was replenishing and he was almost glad Helga was out of his life. Almost...

"I wonder what the fuss is all about..." Arnold though aloud and his ponderings were accompanied by synchronized thoughts of Lila's. The commotion behaved as a threat to her. She could sense it, but she didn't know why.

"I was thinking the same thing!" Lila's eyes lit up as she stared acutely into his. She hoped her giddy disposition would distract him from whatever plagued his thoughts. The television was the focal point of all the hubbub.

"... Right..." Arnold nodded skeptically to his freckled friend and approached the swarm around the TV. There was much clamor; he could just barely make out what was being said.

"Missing girl. Olga Pataki, age 28, was reported missing around midnight last night. Her whereabouts remain in a case of uncertainty, but many believe her to have been apprehended by an unknown influence. There have been a few eye-witness accounts, but no developments made." News Center music comes on. "If anyone has any information. Please contact your local law enforcement agency or Channel 3 Hillwood County..."

Arnold couldn't bare to hear anymore. His dream- his nightmare... no. It can't be related. It was just a dumb dream and now it doesn't matter anymore. Me and Helga-- it's over... Arnold thought to himself as he noticed Lila growing anxious. This is much farther from being just a me and Helga thing. I- I have to do something! Arnold concluded to himself.

Lila grew red with frustration. Arnold should be focusing on me. Hello?! "Are you thinking about Helga, again?! I thought you guys were over!"

A bit taken aback by Lila's sudden temper. "That just happened, Lila. I don't know. I think we're over, but I can't stop thinking about her. I hope you aren't getting the idea that me and you are a couple. I mean... all we're doing is getting a sundae at Slausen's," he explained somewhat gently.

"Oh... but of course, Arnold. We are just ever so great of friends!" Lila smiled simulating an innocent expression for the outside world to see. Inside, on the other hand, she was boiling with dissatisfaction. Her aura was as red and fiery as her hair. All the talk about Helga just gave her a sick feeling. This is getting ridiculous!! Helga isn't even in the presence and he is thinking of her. Ugh... it's so not fair.

Lila became suddenly alert when her cellular phone started to ring. Signaling to Arnold to give her a moment, she exited Slausen's and took the call.

"Hello?"

"Lila?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. It's Doug. I just saw the newscast..."

"Yeah, me too. The entire group of people at Slausen's are crowded around the television just watching it."

"I see... not good. Anyone got any funny ideas?"

"Not that I know of. When I find out, you can bet I'll be the first person to... 'silence' them..." Lila snickered at her own evil tone. The idea of murder excited her. Moving to Hillwood and being the new, country bumpkin chick was so far from her now- history. Murder would be her salvation. Her passion.

She watched Arnold walk towards her as he was leaving the ice cream parlor and panicked. Abruptly finishing the conversation, he noticed her unease.

"Are you okay?" Arnold asked bit suspicious of her odd behavior.

"Oh... fine. I'm just ever so good..." Lila replied and the eerie silence continued, "...I just had that awkward feeling where you feel like you're going to sneeze, but then nothing happens..."

Her savior.

***

Rhonda paced her room with her hand to her head. Oh my god. What have I done? I can't believe I would be connected to a ransom case!? How will I ever go to Yale? Looking in the mirror, she pulled her hair brush out of her vanity drawer. Much to her mental and physical anguish, the drawer would not open. Am I going insane?

"Okay... I just need the key," Rhonda annoyingly got the key to the drawer from it's usual hiding place. "God damn it!" she incessantly tried to pull it open but all of her efforts were doomed a failure. Unlocking the drawer, she attempted to open it. Finally, she let go and sat on her 'rouge' carpet floor.

"I SAW YOUR FACE AND WOW..."

"What in the hell?! Why is my stereo on? Why would it play that song? I hated that song... Nadine loved it though..."

"God, Rhonda, just stop talking to yourself!" a voice yelled.

"Okay. Who was that?" Rhonda began to breathe heavily and her pulse began to rise.

No answer.

"Okay then. I'm not schizo. I am not a schizo. I am not a schizo. I am not a schizo. I am not a schizo..." Rhonda continually repeated the words. Her chest was rising and rapidly descending. Rising from her original destination on the carpeting, she rested on her satin sheets.

She looked over and saw a figure. The stereo sounded again and the music began to play louder. Her stature was suddenly paralyzed with fear as she laid on her bed. With her head permanently angled to view the side, she saw her.

"Rhonda."

Rhonda could not utter a word. Everything turned chaotic in her state of mind as her heart commenced to throb. Terror crept inside of her which collapsed her already breathless lungs. Afraid to inhale or exhale. The notion to open up any element of her... even her mouth; it terrified her. A new presence, now conspicuous, had settled into her room. She couldn't let herself be off guard for one moment.

"Rhonda. Don't you remember me?"

"..." Finally breathing in, Rhonda gasped for some recovery as she regained some consciousness. "Na- Nadine?" She gripped her comforter and held it to herself. Almost like a child, she curled up as if it was a security for her.

"I can't believe what you did... Helga's sister..." Nadine shook her head. She appeared different than anyone would have known her as. She was unrecognizable. Her smile had transformed to a frown of disgust.

Rhonda simply nodded to mask the panic that was coiling her insides. At last, she spoke, "I had to do it... Nadine, what do you think I'd do?! I've been lost with out you! You were my best friend; my only friend. Now you're gone. Lila was the only one left. I had to..."

"You didn't have to, Rhonda! You could be yourself, for once. You didn't have to give in so easily. That wasn't the Rhonda Wellington Lloyd that I knew."

"Excuse me?"

"Learn to do what you believe. Do what you think is right. When I was alive on Earth, everything you did, we did together. I needed to approve of everything you wanted. Why do you need someone to just say 'yes'? Can't you make choices for yourself?"

"Well-"

"Well nothing! You just made a choice. A choice to befriend a homicidal bitch! You follow her, as you followed me. You're doing what she wants and you can't be the person to fight for the good! I'm not going to be there to show you the way anymore. Grow up, Rhonda! Do something right for once..."

"But Nadine-"

Nadine's unnatural visage faded into the shadows of Rhonda's bedroom as Mrs. Lloyd banged on her daughters door. "Rhonda? Can I come in, honey?" When her mother entered she found her daughter in a messy fashion. Her hair flat and dry and her outfit strewn willy-nilly. It looked as if Rhonda had just been through the First World War and her mother was curious as to the raison d'être.

"I'm fine, Mom," she reassured her mother.

"I heard yelling... who were you talking to?" Mrs. Lloyd looked around the room suspiciously.

"No one."

***

After the time on the school clock ticked away to it's final beat, the school bell sounded and life was slowly trying to move on. Olga had already been replaced by a new teacher. Mr. Simmons either sat alone at lunch or was a teacher's aid. Either way, he felt indescribably abandoned.

After class, Arnold approached Mr. Simmons as requested and did not expect what his teacher would ask of him. All of the students had left and it was just the twosome. Some would have called it crazy. How could a simple, bright-spirited, teenage boy possibly help a middle-aged man?

"Mr. Simmons... you wanted to talk to me? Whatever I did, I apologize-" Arnold began.

"No, no, no, Arnold. This is really important. I need your insight. I'm seriously worried for Olga. You always hear about missing girls, but you never hear that they were found..." Mr. Simmons strived for the young boy to listen.

"Mr. Simmons-"

"Even if they are found, it's always too late..."

"Mr. Simmons, how could I possibly be of any help? Helga hates me-" Arnold tried.

"Listen to me, Arnold-" Mr. Simmons grabbed Arnold's upper arms and forced the student to listen. "Wake up! This isn't about you. It's about Olga. You could be of help. You are all Helga has. Haven't you seen her? She's a wreck, for Christ sake! This doesn't even have to do with your relationship status with Helga since you guys just probably had another meaningless argument. I know how she feels about you. I'm probably one of the few who can contemplate the love she holds..."

"But, Mr. Simmons-"

"No, listen, Arnold. This is crucial that you hear me out. I love Olga. I would give up my life for her sole existence. She's the most beautiful woman I have ever known and I'm not about to let her go. I need you. Not as a student, but as a friend. Arnold, help me..."

Arnold could see the desolation in the eyes of his old elementary teacher. Mr. Simmons had grown older and Arnold realized that he wasn't the male ditz everyone made him out to be. Much more and much deeper. It wouldn't be fair for Helga, Olga, or Mr. Simmons if he didn't help as much as he could muster. "I will help you, Mr. Simmons."

***

Olga was isolated in her own tormented thoughts. Now she knew the mistake she made. She should have never gotten friendly with Doug again. That was dumb, she thought as she felt his touch on her knee. It felt so cheap. I hope he gets locked up forever... Olga shuddered as Doug placed his lips so harshly against hers.

She knew she couldn't defend herself. That would only bring the end quicker. Did she want the end? All she knew for sure was that anything was better than the treatment that she had been receiving. Olga had lasted a week putting up with any type of cruelty that Doug and his cronies could originate. There was a pattern to this, Olga noticed. It was sick. That's all there is to it, she thought as she felt him right there.

Each time his lips connected to hers, that's all that happened. They didn't get to connect through the soul. It's not like they could, anyway. That was a gap that could never be breached between them.

Olga grew uncomfortable, but Doug hushed any of her needs. Oh... I never got to tell Rob... I feel so dirty. So rotten. I loved him. It's not really my fault that this...

Rob, I want you back...

"..." Olga sighed. Her gasp was muted by Doug who placed his finger over her mouth as a gesture of silence. Then, he proceeded to take advantage of the innocence.

***

Big Bob Pataki had called in sick ever since that dreadful day. He had gambled everything and lost. His own petty dilemma decided the fate of his first born. The family was crumbling. It wasn't 'the Pataki Way' to give up so easily, but everything became so hard. He saw emptiness in the eyes of Helga and his wife became secluded to herself. Average nights became him watching the WWWF alone; beer in hand.

Something had to be done.

That's when there was a knock on the door...

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I hope you liked it! I think this story will be done in about two weeks according to my schedule.

Thanks for still reading and putting up with my crazy agenda!! Loves!

~Liz